Cult model Connie Girl gets real in this iconic Berlin zine

Though the world’s oldest gay journal and a luggage company might seem worlds apart, Der Eigene and RIMOWA have a few things in common. Both are German-born institutions, founded in Berlin and Cologne respectively, and both are near enough the same age, with Dier Eigene founded in 1896 and RIMOWA just two years later. But it wasn’t until 2022 that RIMOWA strengthened those common bonds even further, resurrecting the dormant magazine for a new generation of queer readers.

Originally running until 1932, Der Eigene primarily focused on the interior lives of queer people, long before homosexuality was decriminalised in Germany in 1968. Now, RIMOWA and editor-in-chief Luis Venegas have relaunched the journal as a “heartfelt tribute to the original”, carrying through the same spirit in its pages. This third issue features Columbian photographer David Mesa and his portraits of queer Berliners, a dive into the photo archive of cult New York drag queen Linda Simpson, a retrospective of Peter Berlin’s “photosexual” work, plus cover illustrations by the artist Drake Carr.

At the heart of the issue, though, is a conversation between Connie Girl and Romy Haag, one that promises to offer a “unique glimpse into the dynamic relationship between the queer community and the urban landscapes they call home.” Connie Girl – real name Connie Fleming – is an artist, model and bonafide New York legend, known as the city’s most famous doorgirl. Haag occupies a similar celebrity in her Berlin home, as a nightclub owner, singer and actress. Their electric conversation, ‘Transatlantic Togetherness’ spans the entirety of their careers, touching on experiences as trans entertainers in their respective cities, how easy it used to be to open your own club, and the queer histories of Berlin and NYC.

Der Eigene no. 3 is available as a supplement inside Dazed’s summer 2024 issue. To pick up a copy, head here.